It is certainly a match Ireland cannot afford to lose in a group that is too close to call at this stage, with France, Israel, Switzerland and the Irish all still in with the opportunity of finishing in the all-important top two.

France head the way on goal difference from the Israelis, with Switzerland and Ireland a point adrift, but with both having played a game less.

Kerr, though, feels Ireland can inflict a decisive blow to coach Avraham Grant’s side by taking all three points.

But after the 1-1 draw in Tel Aviv at the end of March, when Ireland were denied a win by an injury-time equaliser from Abas Suan, Kerr is now expecting his players to go one better than that result.

“To get through in tournaments you generally have to get points in your home games,” said Kerr.

“We’ve won our other two so far [against Cyprus and the Faroe Islands], and we know we are going to have to get a decent number of points from our remaining home games.

“So this is a game we should win, and if we do win then it would be hard for them to retrieve the situation in the group.

“That makes this a crucial game, particularly from our point of view, this is an absolutely crucial game.

“I’ve not set us any points target other than for us to win the rest of the games.

“All the main matches between the top four have been draws so far. That can’t keep happening. Someone has to break that run and win a game, and I hope it’s going to be us.

“If that happens then it will make a big difference to the look of the table.”

Israel at least hold no fears or surprises for Kerr, despite their dark-horse position in the group which they have started with an unbeaten six-match run.

But the expectations are on Ireland, especially as they have lost just one competitive home game in the last 10 years.

“When we went to Tel Aviv both myself and the players knew what to expect,” maintained Kerr.

“There was nothing that surprised us. We know they’ve a never-say-die attitude, a good spirit and are a strong, physical team.

“They also have confidence in their own ability to pull matches out of the fire as they seem content to sit in a fair bit, but they do have a real go and change things around if they are up against it late on.

“I’m not definite on how they will be on this occasion. All I can say is how they’ve gone about their business up until now and they have been reasonably successful.

“They’ve had good results. They’ve been reasonably happy to draw with France twice, to draw with us and with Switzerland.

“With four games to go in the group – and two of those are against the Faroes - they’ve a chance, but we’ve our stuff to do.

“It’s about how we play and how we impose our game on them, while we’ve a good record at home.

“The players like playing at home and that is an advantage for us and we have to make it pay.”

Kerr’s plans have been disrupted by a right-back crisis as he today lost Steve Finnan, who is almost certain to miss the game against Israel with a thigh injury.

With Stephen Carr suspended, and with a potential replacement Alan Maybury out with a back injury, Kerr will either switch John O’Shea from left-back, or play winger Steven Reid as he did in Sunday’s testimonial for Celtic star Jackie McNamara.

“Steve Finnan has returned to Liverpool,” confirmed Kerr. “He hasn’t been there since the day after the Champions League final, so it was vital for them to look and see how they felt about the injury and to start the rehabilitation.

“I wouldn’t like to give a percentage on his chances of playing. I will just wait and hear what the reports are over the next day or two, but I doubt he is going to be fit for the weekend.

“He has a slight chance, but he’s a lot to do to be ready for Saturday.

“It’s obviously disrupting to lose so many players from the same area of the pitch. We just have to deal with that.”